A firm protested the award of a contract to another firm under an Army invitation for bids for forklift trucks. The protester contended that: (1) its apparent low bid was improperly rejected because it failed to comply with an unduly restrictive requirement for an electric hand control; and (2) the Army failed to give advance notice of its intent to award the contract to the second low bidder. GAO...

PROTEST AGAINST AWARD TO A COMPETITOR IS NOT TIMELY WHERE THE PROTEST WAS FILED WITH GAO MORE THAN 10 WORKING DAYS AFTER THE PROTESTER KNEW OF THE BASIS OF PROTEST. TO THE EXTENT THE PROTEST IS DIRECTED TO A SOLICITATION DEFECT. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILED BEFORE BID OPENING. 2. THERE IS NO LEGAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE NOTICE OF AN IMPENDING AWARD TO FACILITATE A PROTEST. BIDS WERE SOLICITED ON A BRAND NA...